Man Utd look for a more affordable midfield option after rejecting the high price for their main target.
Manchester United are now looking at a more affordable option as they worry they might miss out on Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson. It’s been reported that United could walk away from trying to sign Anderson because Forest values him at £120 million. So, the search for a new player to replace the leaving Casemiro goes on.
Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni are also on their list. Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, along with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, are other players United are considering.
Recently, United have shown more interest in Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder Ederson. The Red Devils want to sign two midfielders this summer to strengthen their team ahead of the next season, which might include Champions League games. Ederson, 26, has played a big role for Atalanta since joining from Salernitana in 2022. He has made 179 appearances and helped the team win the Europa League in 2023/24.
Sky Sports said, “United want to be ready to make an offer once their top choices become clearer. They haven’t given up on Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, but as it looks more likely he’ll join Manchester City, they are working harder on other players like Ederson and Fernandes.”
Ederson was expected to join Atlético Madrid, but the Spanish club shifted their focus to Wolves’ João Gomes, another player United are interested in. This change has opened up a chance for United and other teams to go after Ederson.
Ederson is probably a cheaper option compared to Anderson and some of the other players currently in the Premier League, with Atalanta reportedly asking for about £40 million. Despite the growing interest, Sky Sports says earlier reports of a deal between Ederson and United aren’t true yet.
On a related note, The Sun says United want to sign five players this summer: three central midfielders, a left back, and a backup striker to support Benjamin Sesko. United will return to Premier League action at home against Nottingham Forest on May 17.